Attachment apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes an attachment apparatus comprising a rotation limiting member adapted to be threaded onto a threaded member; and a preload nut adapted to be threaded onto the threaded member. The rotation limiting member comprises a plurality of pins, and the preload nut comprises a plurality of slots, preferably wherein the plurality of pins and the plurality of slots are the same in number, which is preferably three. The plurality of pins of the rotation limiting member are filled into a corresponding plurality of slots of the preload nut to form a rotatable unit adapted to be threaded onto the threaded member. In use, the rotatable unit is threaded onto the threaded member. The present invention thus provides a unitized removable device for holes, including holes other than circular in shape, which have an established depth before an end of, or before an enlargement of the hole. The configuration of some exposed part of the device, or the head, is shaped and formed for its intended purpose, such as clamping, anchor points, eye bolts, stud anchor, and the like. The device allows for the installation, preloading and removal of all components of the device, as a unit, without damage to the member for which attachment is required by simple rotations of some exposed part of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to mechanical fasteners, and more particularly tomechanical fasteners for unique applications. In this regard, thepresent invention relates to a device that provides unitized attachmentand removal features into other than circular holes which enlarge afteran established depth. More specifically, the present invention includesan attachment apparatus comprising a rotation limiting member adapted tobe threaded onto a threaded member; and a preload nut adapted to bethreaded onto a threaded member.

2. Description of the Related Art

Examples of conventional fasteners include:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,337, issued Aug. 8, 1995 to Kakimoto who reveals alock nut where the nut closest to the bolt head and the intermediate nutare engaged with each other in only the peripheral direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,187, issued Nov. 8, 1994 to Scalise who describes areleasable locking fastener including a collar and resilient lockingprongs with shoulders to anchor the bolt to a first member.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,279, issued May 24, 1994 to Ewing who represents alocking threaded fastener of the wedge action type.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,423, issued Mar. 2, 1993 to Ewing who illustrates alocking fastener with wedge elements therebetween for wedging the nutmembers apart when the threaded nut member is turned in the looseningdirection.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,855, issued Feb. 25, 1992 to Terry who represents alocking fastener assembly with co-acting cam surfaces and locking means.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,644, issued Jul. 3, 1990 to Runels, and assigned toEaton Corp., who depicts a bolt and nut lock assembly for releasablylocking a bolt to an object.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,101, issued Aug. 13, 1985 to Rosan Jr. who portraysa method for installing a locking nut or bolt that includes drilling abore to accommodate a fastener assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention intended to be claimed includes an attachmentapparatus comprising a rotation limiting member adapted to be threadedonto a threaded member; and a preload nut adapted to be threaded ontothe threaded member.

The present invention intended to be claimed includes a rotatable unitcomprising a rotation limiting member connected to a preload nut.

The present invention intended to be claimed also includes an attachmentapparatus comprising a threaded member; a rotation limiting memberadapted to be threaded onto the threaded member; and a preload nutadapted to be threaded onto the threaded member.

The present invention to be claimed also includes an attachmentapparatus comprising a threaded member; a rotation limiting memberthreaded onto the threaded member; and a preload nut threaded onto thethreaded member.

In accordance with the present invention, the rotation limiting membercomprises a plurality of pins; and the preload nut comprises a pluralityof slots, preferably wherein the plurality of pins and the plurality ofslots are the same in number, which is preferably three.

In accordance with the present invention, the plurality of pins of therotation limiting member are filled into a corresponding plurality ofslots of the preload nut to form a rotatable unit adapted to be threadedonto the threaded member.

In accordance with the present invention, the rotatable unit ispreferably threaded onto the threaded member; and preferably, thepreload nut is capable of rotating about 60°.

The present invention provides means for attachment of a threadedfastener into an irregular shaped hole that has an established orpredetermined depth. An important feature or element of the invention isthe use of a rotation limiting means for a preload nut. In accordancewith the present invention, the rotation limiting member and the preloadnut are contoured to the shape of the hole into which the installationis to take place.

In addition, the apparatus of the present invention provides locking andunlocking by simple rotations of the preload means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1a is a view of the apparatus looking through the head (Section C—Cof FIG. 1b) of the threaded member.

FIG. 1b is an exploded side view of the apparatus for a hexagonal holeapplication. (Note that the rotation limiting member and preload nut arein the unlocked (parallel) position.)

FIG. 2 is a top view (Section A—A of FIG. 1b) of the preload nut.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view (Section B-B of FIG. 1b) of the rotationlimiting member.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the installed apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a top view (Section F-11 of FIG. 4) of the rotatable unit inthe stalled apparatus. (Note that the rotation limiting member andpreload nut are in the locked (perpendicular) position.)

FIG. 6 is a top view (Section F-10 of FIG. 4) of the preload nut rotated60° in the locked position.

FIG. 7 shows a vibration monitor attached by a mounting adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention intended to be claimed broadly includes anattachment apparatus comprising a rotation limiting member 2 adapted tobe threaded onto a threaded member 1; and a preload nut 3 adapted to bethreaded onto the threaded member 1.

More specifically, the present invention intended to be claimed includesan attachment apparatus comprising a threaded member 1; a rotationlimiting member 2 adapted to be threaded onto the threaded member 1; anda preload nut 3 adapted to be threaded onto the threaded member 1.

Specifically, the present invention intended to be claimed includes anattachment apparatus comprising a threaded member 1; a rotation limitingmember 2 threaded onto said threaded member 1; and a preload nut 3threaded onto said threaded member 1.

In accordance with the present invention, the rotation limiting member 2comprises a plurality of pins 4; and the preload nut 3 comprises aplurality of slots 7, preferably wherein the plurality of pins and theplurality of slots are the same in number, which is preferably three.

In accordance with the present invention, the plurality of pins 4 of therotation limiting member 2 are filled into a corresponding plurality ofslots 7 of the preload nut 3 to form a rotatable unit, adapted to bethreaded onto the threaded member 1, which is a specified component ofone of the previously described embodiments of invention, in which casethe rotatable unit is threaded onto the threaded member 1. Preferably,the preload nut 3 is capable of rotating about 60°.

The material used in producing the attachment in this application was304 stainless steel and machined from round, hex and bar stock asrequired. Readily manufactured parts, and other material may besubstituted and modified for appropriateness for the application.Threaded portions and slots are made using conventional machining.Preload nut slots are sized to allow for interference fit of the pinsinto the slots. The pins could also be secured by welding or othersuitable means.

The shape and dimensions of the head end of the threaded member aredetermined by the intended need of the fastener and the shape of thehole into which it will be installed.

The head end may be round, square, multi sided, an eye, a stud or otherirregular shape. The length of the threaded section of threaded member 1is determined by the thickness of the piece or depth of the hole intowhich the device is to be installed. The configuration of the rotationlimiting member 2 and the preload nut 3 is determined by the shape andsize of the hole. These parts will be made corresponding in shape andcontour so as to fit into the mounting hole without resistance.

The number, size and location of dowel pin 4 and the machining of theslots 7 in preload nut 3 is again determined by the application.

In this hexagonal hole application, the pin/slot relationship providesthe two desired positions for the rotation limiting member 2 and thepreload nut 3 installation.

In using the apparatus of the present invention, the rotation limitingmember 2 and the preload nut 3 are threaded onto threaded member 1 as aunit (rotation limiting member 2 on first) with approximately a{fraction (1/32)}″ gap between them with the pin 4 of rotation limitingmember 2 engaged in the slots in preload nut 3. A thickness (t) isestablished between the leading edge of preload nut 3 and the undersideof the head of threaded member 1. This thickness is the depth of thehole plus approximately one sixteenth inch.

The thread immediately adjacent to preload nut 3 is then deformed toprovide a feature so the rotation limiting member 2 preload nut 3assembly will not come off. This feature also acts as a mechanical stopto provide the proper orientation of these parts prior to use. Rotationlimiting member 2 and preload nut 3 are rotated back to this mechanicalstop and the sides of these parts are held parallel. The assembly is nowready for installation.

The unit is installed and rotated clockwise. At the start of therotation, the preload nut 3 rotates preferably about 60°. The corners ofthe preload nut start to engage the bottom of the hole (SECT F-11)because of the misalignment caused by the dowel pin slot relationship(SECT F-10). Further rotation starts to preload the underside ofthreaded member 1 to the mounting surface 5. Rotation of threaded member1 is continued until the final desired torque and preload is applied.

The removal simply consists of the counterclockwise rotation of threadedmember 1 which causes the preload nut 3 to rotate and automatically lineup the sides of the preload nut parallel with rotation limiting member 2for easy removal. The continued counter-clockwise rotation engages thepreload nut with the deformed threads of threaded member 1 to assureperfect lineup for removal of the unit.

A feature unique to the present invention is the use of theconfiguration or contour of the hole as the part of the locking featureand the ability for removal of the device, as a unit, without leavingparts behind. Typically fastener designs for hole attachment are notremovable as a unit and usually leave behind the locking portion.

The present invention is also advantageous in that the apparatus of thepresent invention is adaptable to remote installations. In addition, allparts of the apparatus of the present invention are removed from thehole after use, leaving the hole available for other uses, if desired.Also, the preloading capability of the device is limited only byphysical size and standard stress levels.

A vibration monitor may be attached to a component using a mountingadapter, as shown in FIG. 7.

Mounting adapters conventionally are designed to be universal or for aparticular application. If high frequency data (>10 KHz) is desired fromthe monitor, then the mounting adapter should be welded or securelybolted to the component. In many applications, welding is not allowedand the component may be absent of any threaded holes or threaded studprotrusions. Magnetic adapters may be used on ferrous materials but thetradeoff is a reduction in frequency response (<2.5 KHz).

For purposes of the present invention, in this embodiment, theparticular location is a nut that has been preloaded to a stud. The nuthas an internal hexagonal hole above the threads which is smaller thanthe thread diameters. An installation tool for this nut uses theinternal hexagonal configuration for installing the nut remotely from adistance away.

In accordance with the present invention, a unique adapter or device ofthe present invention was mounted on the top of the nut and preloaded tothis top surface using the hexagonal hole configuration. This preloadingcapability provided the mechanical coupling necessary to achieve thedesired frequency response.

Although only an exemplary embodiment of the invention has beendescribed in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible without materiallydeparting from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover thestructures described herein as performing the recited function and notonly structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

Having thereby described the subject matter of the present invention, itshould be apparent that many substitutions, modifications and variationsof the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It istherefore to be understood that the invention as taught and describedherein is only to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Attachment apparatus, comprising: a) a threaded member; b) a rotation limiting member adapted to be threaded onto said threaded member; and c) a preload nut adapted to be threaded onto said threaded member; d) means for resisting said rotation limiting member and said preload nut from easy detachment from said threaded member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rotation limiting member comprises a plurality of pins; and said preload nut comprises a plurality of slots.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said plurality of pins and said plurality of slots are the same in number.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said plurality of pins of said rotation limiting member are adapted to be filled into a corresponding plurality of slots of said preload nut to form a rotatable unit adapted to be threaded onto a threaded member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said rotatable unit is threaded onto said threaded member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said number of the plurality is three.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said preload nut is capable of rotating about 60°.
 8. Attachment apparatus, comprising: a) a threaded member; b) a rotation limiting member threaded onto said threaded member; c) a preload nut threaded onto said threaded member; and d) means for resisting said rotation limiting member and said preload nut from easy detachment from said threaded member.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said rotation limiting member comprises a plurality of pins; and said preload nut comprises a plurality of slots.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said plurality of pins and said plurality of slots are the same in number.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said plurality of pins of said rotation limiting member are filled into a corresponding plurality of slots of said preload nut to form a rotatable unit adapted to be threaded onto said threaded member.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said rotatable unit is threaded onto said threaded member.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said number of the plurality is three.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said preload nut is capable of rotating about 60°. 